Reflections by Austerity Complex: A Synth-Pop Time Capsule That’ll Mess With Your Head (In a Good Way)
Released in 2016, Reflections is the kind of album that sneaks up on you. It’s not flashy or loud—it’s more like someone whispering secrets into your ear while neon lights flicker in the background. Hailing from Germany and Russia, Austerity Complex blends electronic beats with pop sensibilities to craft an album that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. The result? A synth-pop masterpiece that lingers long after the last track fades.
Let’s talk about two tracks that stuck with me like gum on a shoe. First up: “Mystery Girl (The Dynamic Master Mix).” This one hits different. Nigel M. Wheeler’s vocals are smooth as butter, gliding over layers of shimmering synths. There’s this moment around the chorus where everything builds—keys swelling, drums thumping—and it feels like you’re standing at the edge of something big, even if you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Add Katharina Johanson’s backing vocals on other tracks for depth, and you’ve got a vibe that’s equal parts dreamy and haunting. I kept replaying this one because it felt like falling into a kaleidoscope.
Then there’s “Devious (Tourdeforce Mix),” which slaps harder than expected. If “Mystery Girl” is all soft edges and misty vibes, “Devious” grabs you by the collar and shakes you awake. The programming here, courtesy of André Schuster, is razor-sharp, with beats so tight they could cut glass. Left Engelmann’s mastering gives it this crispness that makes every sound pop out of the speakers. Honestly, I wasn’t ready for how much I’d dig this remix—it turned a solid track into something unforgettable.
The production credits alone tell you how much care went into this project. Between Anke Weigelt’s moody photography and cover design, André Schuster’s wizardry on keyboards and programming, and Left Engelmann’s mixing magic, Reflections feels like a labor of love. Labels Not On Label and ScentAir Records gave it the freedom to breathe, and boy, does it ever.
If you’re into genres like electronic and pop but also crave that retro-futuristic synth-pop flair, this album’s for you. Tracks like “New Horizon” and its remixes show off the band’s range, while “Nature Of Man” closes things down with introspective vibes. You won’t find cookie-cutter hooks here; instead, each song unfolds like a story, revealing new details with every listen.
Here’s the thing about Reflections: it doesn’t try too hard to impress. Instead, it invites you in, lets you wander through its maze of sounds, and trusts you to find your own way out. And maybe that’s why it works so well. Or maybe it’s just the fact that I couldn’t stop humming “Mystery Girl” for three days straight. Either way, hats off to Austerity Complex—they didn’t just make music; they made moments.
Oh, and random thought: Listening to this album feels like eating candy floss under strobe lights. Sweet, disorienting, and oddly satisfying. Who knew synth-pop could be such a trip?
